The Kent Denver Sun Devils knocked off the St. Louis Country Day Rams, 15-6, in the opening game of the Whitman’s® Sampler® Mile High Classic at Sports Authority Field, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

The Sun Devils (8-2) took control of the contest in the third quarter, when they powered past the Rams (8-2) on a six-goal run, increasing their lead from 3-2 to 9-2. Kent Denver received key performances from attackman Bailey Tills and midfielder Jaden Franklin, who finished with four and three goals, respectively.

In the fourth quarter, Kent preserved the lead as Country Day’s comeback push fell short. The Sun Devils added to their lead with six more goals, while limiting the Rams to a four goals in the fourth quarter.

“We started playing a team game in the second half, and that was the difference,” said Kent head coach Tom Graesser. “We started winning face-offs, and clearing the ball the way we should. We didn’t scout them entering the game, and we made the appropriate adjustments at halftime. We spoke about doing some things specifically like putting Jaden at the X-position, which paid off as he started scoring in the third quarter.”

In the first half of the contest, the two squads appeared to be even as the Rams took an early 2-1 lead in the first quarter. However, things went downhill from that point as the Rams defense couldn’t handle the high-octane Sun Devil offense.

“Missouri isn’t really on the map in the lacrosse world,” said Country Day head coach Andy Kay. “We’ve had a few guys go to college from Missouri, but we’re not known for exporting collegiate level talent on a consistent basis. We were really pressed by a really good Kent Denver team, which will help our kids acquire a better lacrosse IQ and move on and learn from this experience."

"Our guys aren’t used to seeing teams that move the ball as efficiently as Kent Denver does, and we are not used to defending shooters like they have," he said. "I thought it was a great lesson for our guys for what they need to be sustainable in the long term for our program.”

The Sun Devils struggled in the face-off X in the first half, but came out and won five straight after the half, which alleviated a lot of pressure on the defensive unit.

Sophomore goalie Marcus Stears played the first three quarters, recording seven saves in the contest. Senior Ben Lehr replaced him in the fourth quarter.

“I think our goalie is pretty special even though he is a sophomore,” said Graesser. “I think one of the biggest differences was the experience of our defense.

I have two guys with two years of varsity level experience under their belts and they did a really nice job today as a unit. We played some more zone defense, because we wanted to deny No. 7 [Mac Cornwall] the easy opportunities he was getting earlier on.”

The Sun Devils weekend has just begun, according to Graesser, as the team prepares for two games in the next three days against Fort Collins High School and Mullins High School, respectively. From there, the team’s postseason will begin.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to schedule this game initially, because we have games tomorrow and Monday, but in the end, it’s great for the sport and it gives us a measuring stick and it gives them a measuring stick,” said Graesser. “I think playing here for the kids is really big for them and our goal is to be back here on May 19th and play for a state title and I believe today will help us get there.”

The high school matchup kicks off the Mile High Classic, with Virginia vs. Penn taking the field after.

“Having regional games for the sport is huge,” said Graesser. “It wasn’t too long ago that it was rare to have these type of games being played.”